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Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Senator Blumenthal Introduce FALCON Act to Strengthen Watchdog Oversight and Accountability

October 21, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee Committee on Investigations, introduced the Fast Action for Lawful Compliance with Oversight Needs (FALCON) Act, a bicameral effort to reinforce the independence and authority of Inspectors General (IGs) across the federal government. This comes following efforts by President Trump to fire or demote 21 IGs across 22 offices since the beginning of his second term, agency efforts to interfere in the independence of federal IGs, and the more recent attacks by his Administration to illegally withhold funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, stifling oversight across the federal government. The full bill can be found here.

“Inspectors General are the American people’s watchdogs,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. “They expose corruption, stop abuse, and save taxpayers billions of dollars every year, and they’re one of the strongest protections we have against the Trump Administration’s brazen lawlessness. When bad actors try to ignore oversight or block investigations, they escape accountability. If we want to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in our government, we need to make sure watchdogs do their job, without interference, delay, or fear of retaliation. This bill makes sure IGs get the answers they need, on time, with real consequences for anyone who blocks their investigation.”

“Trump has demonstrated the desperate need for FALCON Act safeguards in draconian firings of Inspectors General and other action degrading their critical work. As the principal federal watchdogs against fraud and abuse—now trademarks of this Administration—their independence urgently needs these protections. They must be real watchdogs, not lapdogs. This legislation stops the Trump Administration from tightly leashing Inspectors General to its corrupt goalposts,” said Senator Blumenthal.

The FALCON Act requires federal agencies, employees, grantees, and contractors to respond to Inspector General requests within 60 days. If they fail to comply without valid reasoning, they can face serious penalties, including suspension, termination, or loss of contract. The bill requires reports to the relevant agency head and Congress of any noncompliance with OIG requests.

The FALCON Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Project on Government Oversight (POGO), Democracy Defenders Action (DDA), Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and the Government Accountability Project.

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